Antipump control of electric switches



Nov. 30, 1943. J. P. FRAPS I 2,335,660

ANTI-PUMP CONTROL OF ELECTRIC SWITCHES Filed Oct. 22, 1942 Ell N /0 Patented Nov. 30, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ANTIPUMP CONTROL OF ELECTRIC SWITCHES Application October 22, 1942, Serial No. 462,895

7 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in the control of electric switches and more particularly trip free circuit breakers which are opened automatically on the occurrence of abnormal circuit conditions and which are arranged to be closed in response to the closing operation of a control switch to efiect the energization of the circuit breaker closing means.

If the control switch is left in its circuit closing position after the circuit breaker closes and the circuit breaker immediately opens due to an abnormal condition on the circuit it controls, the closing means of the circuit breaker must not again be energized as soon as the circuit breaker reaches its open position. Otherwise, the circuit breaker will be reclosed on the abnormal condition. In other words, the circuit breaker will continue to open'and close rapidly while the abnormal condition lasts and the control switch remains closed. This so-called pumping action, if allowed to continue, is liable to result in serious damage to the circuit breaker and other connected apparatus.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved control arrangement for preventing the repeated opening and closing of a circuit breaker under the conditions mentioned. Another object of my invention is to provide an improved antipump control arrangement such that the desired opening and closing operations of the circuit breaker can be initiated by the actuation of a single throw stay-put type of control switch. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved anti-pump control arrangement whereby the closing of the circuit breaker may be effected by closing a stay-put type of control switch, and the opening of the circuit breaker may be eifected by opening the control switch. These and other objects of my invention will appear in more detail hereinafter.

In accordance with my invention, I provide an auxiliary relay and a single throw stay-put control switch which is operative when closed while the circuit breaker is open to effect the energize.- tion of a control relay only when the auxiliary relay is deenergized, the control relay when energized being effective to energize the closin means of the circuit breaker. Further, I provide means for effecting the energization of the auxiliary relay when the circuit breaker closes while the control switch is closed and means independent of the opening of the circuit breaker for maintaining the auxiliary relay energized until the control switch is opened. Also, in accordance with my invention, I so arrange that the opening of the control switch effects the deenergization of the auxiliary relay to cause the opening of the circuit breaker.

My invention will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

The single figure of the accompanying drawing diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of my invention as applied to control the closing and opening of a circuit breaker I, which for simplicity is shown single pole in a circuit comprising a conductor 2. It will, of course, be obvious that as far as my invention is concerned the number of poles in the circuit breaker is immaterial. As schematically shown, the circuit breaker is of the automatic trip free type and is provided with closing means 3, opening means 4 and tripping means 5, the last of which is responsive to abnormal circuit conditions to eiiect the opening of the circuit breaker. Also, as schematically shown, the closing, opening and tripping means are of the electromagnetic single-solenoid type comprising windings 6, 'l and 8, respectively, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that my invention is not limited to this particular type. As illustrated, the fault responsive tripping means 5 has its winding 8 connected in series in the circuit controlled by the circuit breaker I so as to respond to excess current conditions whereby to collapse the over-center circuit breaker holding toggle 8. Likewise, the opening means 4 is also arranged when energized to collapse the holding toggle 9. With the collapse of this toggle, the circuit breaker l is free to open under suitable bias such as furnished by a spring I 0 since the overcenter operating toggle H can collapse downwardly when the restraint of the abutment I2 is removed by the collapse of the holding toggle Q. The circuit breaker l is also provided with a plurality of a auxiliary switches is and M which are closed when the circuit breaker is closed and opened when the circuit breaker is opened.

In accordance with my invention, 1 control the operation of the closing and opening means 3 and 4 by a control relay it, an auxiliary relay l6 and a single throw stay-put type of control switch ll. The control relay H5 is operative when energized to effect the energization of the closing means 3. For this purpose, the control relay is provided with a set of closed when energized contacts l8, IS in series relation in the energizing circuit 2:] of the winding E of the closing means 3. The control switch ll is operative when closed while the circuit breaker I is open to effect the energization of the control relay I5 only when the auxiliary relay I6 is deenergized. For this purpose, the energizing circuit 2i of the winding 22 of the control relay I5 includes in series the control switch I! and a set of closed when deenergized contacts 23, 24 of the auxiliary relay I6.

For efiecting the energization of the auxiliary relay I6 when the circuit breaker I closes while the control switch I1 is closed, the energizing circuit 25 of the winding 25 of this relay includes in series relation the control switch I! and the circuit breaker a auxiliary switch I3. Further in accordance with my invention, I provide means independent of the opening of the circuit breaker I for maintaining the auxiliary relay Z6 energized until the control switch I? is opened. As shown, this means includes the closed when energized set of auxiliary relay contacts 21, 28 which complete a seal-in circuit 29 in parallel with the a auxiliary switch I3.

Also in accordance with my invention, I provide means controlled by the control and auxiliary relays I5 and I 6 for efiecting the energization of the opening means i when the control switch I! is opened while the circuitbreaker i is closed. As shown, this means includes an energizing circuit 39 which includes in series relation the winding 7 of the opening means 4, the circuit breaker a auxiliary switch I4, a set of closed when deenergized contacts 3!, 32 controlled by the control relay l5 and a set of closed when deenergized contacts 33, 34 of the auxiliary relay I6.

Assuming the circuit breaker I and the control switch I! both closed and the circuit 2 normal, then the parts are positioned as shown in the drawing. The control relay I5 is deenergized since its circuit 2! is open at the contacts 23, 24 of the auxiliary relay iii. The auxiliary relay I6 is energized since its circuit is completed through the auxiliary switch I3 and also through the seal-in contacts 2?, 28 in parallel. Assuming now an excess current condition on the circuit 2 such as to actuate the tripping means 5, then the circuit breaker I will be opened in consequence of the collapse of the holding toggle S. The auxiliary relay I6, however, will not be deenergized since its energizing circuit remains completed through its seal-in contacts 2?, 23. and 2d of the auxiliary relay it remain open. As long as these contacts are open, it is impossibie to energize the control relay I5 and thereby the closing means 3. Therefore, no pumping action of the circuit breaker I can occur. In order to close the circuit breaker the auxilia y relay it must be deenergized by opening the control switch ii. The auxiliary relay 6% then closes its contacts 23, 2 and 33, as and opens its contacts 2'5, 28. Closure of the control switch I? is then effective to complete the circuit 2! of the winding 22 of the control relay E5. This relay then closes its contacts i8, I9 and completes the energizing circuit 29 of the closing means 3 whereby to effect the closing of the circuit breaker I. As soon as the circuit breaker I closes its a auxiliary switch It, the auxiliary relay i6 is energized to open its contacts 23, 2:3 and 33, 3d and close its seal-in contacts 2?, 28, and the parts are again positioned as shown in the drawing.

If it is desired to open the circuit breaker l by opening means 4. then the control switch I? is Consequently, the contacts 23 opened. The opening of this switch deenergizes the auxiliary relay it which closes its contacts 33, 3t and thereby completes the energizing circuit 30 of the opening means 3 to effect the collapse of the holding toggle Q and thereby the opening of the circuit breaker I.

In order to effect the opening of the circuit breaker I independently of the control switch H, the contacts 35, 3 5 of any switching device other than the control-switch II are arranged in parallel with the serially related contacts 3!, 32 of the control relay I5 and 33, 3% of the auxiliary relay I6. The contacts 35, 3% are normally open. When these contacts are closed while the circuit breaker is closed, then the circuit of the opening means 4 is completed by way of the conductors 3'! and 38 independently of the control switch I! and also the relays I5 and It. With this arrangement, it will be noted that there is no change in the energizing circuit of the winding 26 of the auxiliary relay I6 since this circuit remains energized through the stay-put control switch I'I. Consequently, following the opening of the circuit breaker i in consequence of the closing of the contacts 25, 36, the circuit breaker can again be closed only by opening and closing the control switch II.

In order to open or to close the circuit breaker I by a device other than the control switch It, I provide in series with the control switch I! a switching device having cooperating contacts 39, M! in series relation with the contacts of the control switch Il. With this arrangement, it will be noted that the closing operation of the circuit breaker I can be eifected only when the control switch I? is closed and the contacts 3%, 40 are closed. However, the opening of either the control switch IT or the contacts 33, 5%! will effect the tripping of the circuit breaker.

While I have indicated the various control cir cuits as energized by direct current, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any dependable source of either direct or alternating current can be used. From the foregoing, it will be observed that I have provided a simple and effective means for controlling by a single throw stay-put control switch the opening and closing operations of an automatic trip free circuit breaker without any pumping action of the circuit breaker and the hazards consequent thereupon.

While I have shown and described my invention in considerable detail, I do not desire to be limited to the exact arrangements shown, but seek to cover in the appended claims all those modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an anti-pump control arrangement for an automatic trip free circuit breaker provided with closing means and opening means; means for controlling the energization of said closing and opening means comprising a control relay operative when energized to effect the energization of said closing means, an auxiliary relay and a single throw stay-put control switch operative when closed while the circuit breaker isopen to effect the energization of said control relay only when the auxiliary relay is deenergized, means for effecting the energization of the auxiliary relay when the circuit breaker closes while the control switch is closed, means controlled by the auxiliary relay for maintaining itself energized independently of the opening of the circuit breaker and until the control switch is opened and for effecting the energization of said opening means when both the control relay and the auxiliary relay are deenergized.

2. In an anti-pump control arrangement for an automatic trip free circuit breaker provided with closing means and opening means; means for controlling the energization of said closing and opening means comprising a control relay operative when energized to effect the energization of said closing means, an auxiliary relay, switching means controlled by said auxiliary relay and a single throw stay-put control switch operative when closed while the circuit breaker is open to effect the energization of said control relay only when the auxiliary relay is deenergized, switching means dependent on the closing of the circuit breaker for effecting the energization of the auxiliary relay when the circuit breaker closes while the control switch is closed, and switching means controlled by the auxiliary relay for maintaining itself energized independently of the opening of the circuit breaker and until the control switch is opened and for effecting the energization of said opening means when both the control relay and the auxiliary relay are deenergized.

3. In an anti-pump control arrangement for an automatic trip free circuit breaker provided with closing means and opening means; means for controlling the energization of said closing and opening means comprising a control relay operative when energized to effect the energization of said closing means, an auxiliary relay and a single throw stay-put control switch operative when closed while the circuit breaker is open to efiect the energization of said control relay only when the auxiliary relay is deenergized, means for effecting the energization of the auxiliary relay when the circuit breaker closes while the control switch is closed, and means independent of the opening of the circuit breaker for maintaining the auxiliary relay energized until the control switch is opened and for effecting the energization of said opening means upon the opening of said control switch while the control relay is deenergized.

4. In an anti-pump control arrangement for an automatic trip free circuit breaker provided with closing means and opening means; means for controlling the energization of said closing and opening means comprising a control relay operative when energized to effect the energization of said closing means, an auxiliary relay and a single throw stay-put control switch operative when closed while the circuit breaker is open to effect the energization of said control relay only When the auxiliary relay is deenergized, means for effecting the energization of the auxiliary relay when the circuit breaker closes while the control switch is closed, means independent of the opening of the circuit breaker for maintaining the auxiliary relay energized until the control switch is opened, and means controlled by said control and auxiliary relays for effecting the energization of said opening means when said control switch is opened while the circuit breaker is closed.

5. In an anti-pump control arrangement for an automatic trip free circuit breaker provided with electromagnetic closing means, electromagnetic openings means, fault responsive tripping means, and a plurality of c, auxiliary switches; means for controlling the energization of said opening and closing means comprising a single throw stay-put control switch, a control relay having an energizing winding and two sets of contacts, one closed and the other open when the control relay is energized and vice versa, an auxiliary relay having an energizing winding and three sets of contacts, one closed and two open when the auxiliary relay is energized and vice versa, an energizing circuit for the winding of said control relay including in series said control switch and one set of open when energized contacts of said auxiliary relay, an energizing circuit for the winding of said closing means including the closed when energized contacts of the control relay, an energizing circuit for the winding of said auxiliary relay including in series said control switch and one of said circuit breaker auxiliary switches, a seal-in circuit for said auxiliary relay in parallel with said one of said auxiliary switches and including the closed when energized contacts of the auxiliary relay, and a circuit for said opening means including in series the winding thereof, another of said circuit breaker auxiliary switches, the closed when deenergized contacts of said control relay and the other of the open when energized contacts of the auxiliary relay.

6. An anti-pump control arrangement for an automatic trip free circuit breaker comprising a plurality of cooperating relay means, a single throw stay-put control switch, means controlled by said cooperating relay means and by said control switch when closed while the circuit breaker is open for effecting the closing thereof, and means controlled by said cooperating relay means when the control switch is opened while the circuit breaker is closed for effecting the opening thereof.

7. An anti-pump control arrangement for an automatic trip free circuit breaker comprising a plurality of cooperating relay means, a single throw stay-put control switch, means controlled jointly by said control switch and one of said plurality of relay means and dependent on the circuit controlling position of the circuit breaker for controlling the operation of another of said plurality of relay means, means controlled by said other relay means for effecting the closing of the circuit breaker, and means controlled jointly by said plurality of relay means and dependent on the circuit controlling position of the circuit breaker for effecting the opening thereof.

JUNIUS P. FRAPS. 

